Best Work Boots Under $100- The Most Budget-Friendly Boots of 2018

You’ll agree with me that when you are starting out in a new job, you won’t have stashes of cash to buy highly priced work boots.

So you’ll probably be looking for a work boot that’s not only protective enough but also budget friendly.

But there is ONE problem. With the best budget work boots varying in design, material make, protective capability and adaptability to different work environments, it isn’t easy to find that one work boot brand that fits the bill.

That’s why I have come up with a listing of top 5 affordable work boots in 2018. I compiled this list after in-depth research, testing out the different brands and leveraging on authentic user reviews.

Before Buying Budget Friendly Work Boots…

☑ The type of material used for the sole.

Work boots outsoles are usually classified as rubber, TPU or the EVA Midsole.

~Rubber outsoles are often designed to be oil-, abrasion- ,and slip-resistant. Rubber outsoles are ideal for those who work in manufacturing or construction environs.

~Thermoplastic Polyurethane out sole– commonly

known as TPU out soles- are lightweight and split resistive. As they are made from a tough material, the soles are durable, are resistant to chemical and abrasions.

~EVA midsoles are made from ethylene vinyl acetate, a material that is light in weight, flexible and offers a cushioning to the feet. These soles absorb the weight you impact with your body and provide the necessary support as you continue toiling through out the day.

☑ Impact resistance rating.

How well a work boot can withstand the impact of a falling object should be your number one consideration. A good work boot should have an impact rating of 1/50 as indicated in this write up.

☑ Construction of the upper body.

Different brands of work boots are made using different materials. Each of these materials have varying sets of uses and benefits depending on the intended line of work for the boots.

Leather remains the most popular material for making the uppers of work boots. It’s durable, waterproof and fits well on a user’s feet.

Other common, but less durable materials, for uppers are Nylon, Rubber (PVC) or a combination of the two. Work boots made of these materials are cheaper but less durable.

☑ The break in period

If you’ve been work boots for a while, you will agree some work boots take much more time to be ready for your feet than others. If you need to use your work boots immediately after purchase, then it’s essential to consider buying a pair that takes less time to break in.

☑ Construction of the work boot

I’d bet you hardly consider the body build of the work boot that you are aiming to buy. Yet, how the work boot is put together determines how durable and rigid the boot will be. The 3 main work boot constructions are:

~The stitch down

The work boots outsoles and the upper body are stitched together by a toughened out stitch material. The most popular of stitching method is the Goodyear Welt stitch. The benefits of buying a stitched up work boot is that it allows for re-soling where necessary.

~Direct attach

The method is also known as molding. Basically, the outsoles are molded on the fabric of the upper body. This construction is way better than the cement construction.

Basically, the uppers of the boot and the soles are glued together. While the method is popular, it isn’t as sturdy as direct attach or the stitching method. It’s not ideal for people working in rugged environs.

Fact is, many of the work boots on offer in the markets have their prices pegged on features including, material make and of course the protection they offer. This means that majority of affordable work boot brands on offer in the markets often overlook certain features to keep prices low.

A Closer Look at The Best Work Boots Under $100

This budget work boot is best suited for professionals working in the construction industry. The upper body is constructed from durable leather and reaches up to the ankle area.

The out-sole is oil- and slip-resistant meaning you will easily work on slippery grounds without risk of falling down.

Other important features include a Goodyear Welt construction that binds the thick mid-sole to the upper body. Though the work boot is uninsulated, it passes the electrical hazard (EH) tests thus making it ideal for those working with electrical devices.

Comfort, modern design and a uniquely appealing color shade are just a couple of reasons why Safetygirl steel toe boots is every hardworking woman’s dream boots. To start with, these bold work boots have their upper body made of the popularNubuck Leather in pink shade for an added feminine touch.

The leather is further enhanced with a waterproof membrane to keep your feet off the rain and numbing cold.

Further down, the double-color rubber outsoles complement well with the light pink shade used on the upper body. The tough build outsoles are resistant to punctures, oil and slip.

The steel toe, the most important feature of this work boot, protects the user from falling objects, misplaced tools and even poorly placed building blocks.

This work boot stands out for it’s craftsmanship, sturdy build and of course the steel toe protective feature. Starting right from the soles, this budget friendly work boot features a durable rubber outsole that’s slip resistant. Goodyear welt technology is used to bind the soles to the upper body and this makes the work boot suitable for the rugged work sites.

The upper body is made of a full-grain Nubuck leather giving a tinge of quality and classy appearance.

Pros

Cons

A spacious toe region allows for relaxation room.

Genuine full-grain Nubuck leather makes the work boot durable.

Durable rubber outsole that are slip resistant.

Good Year Welt that bonds the boot together.

Waterproof upper body.

* You need to order the exact size as larger may not fit in perfectly.

The casual appearance of this Chelsea-style work boot makes it a favorite for those who like adorning relaxed safety wear to work.

The upper body is built from the sturdy full grain leather with the two side panel made of stretchable fabric for easy fit. The outsole is injected with PU and this makes the sole lightweight, flexible and shock absorbent.

Tips to keep your work boot in top condition:

There’s no denying a work boot costing under than a hundred bucks won’t be of same quality as one going for aroud 150 dollars. It’s important thus to ensure you care for your budget work boots so as to prolong the service duration. Here are work boot maintenance tips you should practice on your safety toe work boots.

Always use a soft rag or a towel to clean the work boot.

Not any material is good for cleaning a work boot. Using a course material, for instance, can leave scratches on the work boots exteriors and thus weaken them.

Always condition your work boot after cleaning.

Depending on the material make and state, your work boot should always be conditioned to preserve their gloss, surface texture and waterproof capabilities. The exist different conditioners on the market and they vary from nature seal, mink oil and even vegetable oil for those not in a position to get prime conditioners.

Use a storage wood tool to store your boots.

Whenever you remove your work boots, you should keep your work boots in a clean, airy space using a wood storage tool. These maintains their shape, helps the boots the foot odor and the wood storage wicks away the moisture.

Summary Note:

Work boots that are priced at this range aren’t necessarily the very best nor most popular in the market. It is, therefore, advisable that you do your feet some favor but researching in length on the qualities of each work boot you intend to purchase, find out if they feet your working environment and, most importantly, if the boots will make your feet comfortable. Happy working!

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